Browns Name Joe Flacco As The Starter, But For How Long?

Each of the Browns’ first six opponents finished with winning records last season. These matchups include trips to face the division favorite Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions (who could be fully healthy by then), and Pittsburgh Steelers, which almost always have a tough defense. Their three home matchups will feature NFC games against two playoff teams from last season, the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers, followed by a division foe, the Cincinnati Bengals.

This gauntlet is a tall task for any QB, let alone a rookie. While the Bengals’ defense shouldn’t be too threatening, keeping up with the firepower presented by Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins is a huge ask. Putting a rookie in a potential shootout to start their career would likely end in disaster. With that in mind, the Browns should probably go with the veteran Flacco for at least the first handful of games or so.

Week Seven Could Be The Spot

On paper, the Browns’ schedule gets easier for a bit after week six. They have a home contest in Week Seven against the Miami Dolphins, who are only favored by 1.5 (via ESPN Bet). The Fins were a top-five defense in terms of total yards last year, but numerous key pieces from that defense are no longer there. Jalen Ramsey, Jevon Holland, Jordan Poyer, Emmanuel Ogbah, and Calais Campbell have all moved on, leaving significant question marks on the defensive side of the ball. The return of veteran safety Minkah Fitzpatrick will help some, but there is still much to be desired, especially at the cornerback position.

A Change Is Almost Certain By November

Cleveland may decide to wait until after the Week Nine bye to make the change, but it is unlikely to go any further than that. That features a matchup versus the Jets in New York, which is more favorable than the last game before the bye in New England against the Patriots. The Browns will almost certainly be in “well, let’s see what we have with our young QBs” territory by then, and they will have an extra week of preparation time.

That extra prep time is much needed, as Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders all missed valuable time in training camp with various injuries. Pickett, who is the backup as of now, is still listed as questionable heading into the regular season with a lingering hamstring issue. That could lead to even more reps for the pair of Cleveland’s rookie QBs, who had controversy surrounding them recently, as one of them looks to emerge as the successor to Flacco.

End Of My Cleveland Browns Rant

Let’s be honest, this is likely another lost season for the Browns. The Week 14 game at home against the Tennessee Titans is the only game they are favored to win, and could change depending on how Cam Ward progresses throughout the year. With that in mind, Cleveland should see what they have with one of, or perhaps both, of their young guns at some point.

Before that inevitable change, Flacco will likely have some moments. That could very well start in Week One against that vulnerable Bengals’ defense. Here lies the perfect opportunity for one of those Joe Flacco blackout games, where he goes for 330 yards and three passing touchdowns, stealing a victory in the process. From there, however, it could very well be Ls all the way up to that Week Nine bye.

Now, you’re sitting there at 1-7, so you might as well see what else you have. Expect to see the higher-picked Gabriel first, and perhaps Sanders after, depending on how Gabriel plays. The Browns will then need to evaluate both rookies to determine if they have something for the future or if they will be picking another quarterback at the top of the draft in 2026.